26 June 2012

Bill and I are still a bit stunned about Ben's untimely death. It's left a little empty space in our hearts. We 'followed' him everyday and his blog was the last one that we read each morning---a save-the-best-for-last situation. We met him a few times and will always remember him as the sweet, generous, gentle man that he was.

We hope to meet some of our fellow bloggers (in addition to Ben's friends and family) this evening at the get-together to exchange memories about good ol' Ben.. . . . . ".An Older Texan Remembered."

19 June 2012

Since I have been so remiss, I'm going to start over with publishing entries from Mattie Lou Ewing's Diary. For any newbies--These are entries from a journal I bought at an antique shop in Fort Worth. This is a woman who lived a farm life in post WWII Texas. Some is very mundane, but it's all a very interesting look into 'everyday life' at that time. (B.B. or Buster is her husband. Jo or Jo Beth is her daughter. Les is her son-in-law.). You'll see various places where I have inserted comments about readability, etc. I've kept most of her misspellings and grammar errors.

1947

Wednesday—January 1

This is the first diary I ever attempted to keep, but I know
I will enjoy every “day” of this new year. The snow and ice has everything
completely covered, and its’ a very beautiful sight. I have a head-ache, but am
having a wonderful time, with my rag rug. B.B. is at the farm and will bring
the calf home for food. (?—One unreadable word)

Thursday—January 2

It’s still dark and gloomy out-side. Buster is at the farm
feeding cows. I am feeling fine today and “Short Tom” is enjoying our bright
fire. We went to see “Janie Gets Married” at the mission. We came home by 8 and
listened to radio. The calf was delivered to plant and killed. We will have
plenty of beef.

Friday—January 3

It’s bitterly cold today. Quite the coldest of the season. Planned
to spend the day with Jo Beth, but decided it was too cold. Am chrocheting
(sic) Jo a new doilie out of the new thread so am really enjoying myself. Buster
is in a H.(not sure about the H) S. A. meeting today. He reported a very busy
day at the office.

Saturday—January 4

It was unusually cold last nite. Kept the gas on all nite and
windows were covered with ice this morn. Car was dead too. It was too cold to
try to work at store so am at home. B. B. and Les are feeding cows at the farm.
Lorena came over this morn for a visit. Ma died one year ago today.

Sunday—January 5

We buried Ma one year ago today. It was a gloomy sad day.
Today has been sad. Buster was nervous. We all attended S. S. and church. Jo
and Les came home for lunch, but none of us enjoyed it. It’s still very cold
and no hopes of warm weather yet. Jo and Les went home early. I made cookies
for Rosemary’s shower.

Monday—January 6

It’s sleeting this morning and looks like bad weather for
sure. I walked to Aunt Letha’s (?) and rode to town to select our gift for
Rosemary. We made final plans for shower and have it all planned. Buster is
still “nervous”. Listened to radio and started on a new doilie.

Tuesday—January 7

Looks a little like spring this morning. The sun is shining
but it’s “weak”. Did a big wash the old time way and had a big day. Bob came
for me, so went to shower at 6:30. It was a nice party. 14 guests and all gifts
were very nice. Am glad it’s all over as it’s a lot of responsibility. Rosemary
seemed very grateful and we enjoyed doing it for her.

Wednesday—January 8

Another dark, gloomy day but I kinda like them. Takes these
kind of days to make us appreciate the beautiful ones. It would be a shame to
take too much for granted. Got up at 5:45 and am all thru my work at 8:15. Am
all tired and should take it easy.

Thursday—January 9

Had a sick headache this morning. Stayed in bed until eleven.
Bill and Buster came in for lunch at 12. The Veterans of Como came and
inspected the farm and cows. I ironed and chrocheted (sic). Spent the evening at home. The Satterwhites
came and visited until 10.

Friday—January 10

I carried B. B. to the farm and brought car home with me. Jo
and I went to food locker (? Not sure about food locker) and had my hair fixed
at 9:30. Then on to grocery store and we fixed lunch and carried it to farm. We
all ate and worked all afternoon and did a lot of good work on house. (Linda
lost her calf).

Saturday—January 11

Went to work at Levine’s (?). Had a good day. Made 3.70.
Bought me a new hat $3.40. Ate supper with Jo and Les and B. worked all day at
the farm. Buster and I came home early and went to bed before 10. The entire
family was dog tired. Oh yes: 20 eggs today.

Sunday—January 12

Another sick headache. Too sick to make it to S.S. and church.
We went to farm at 11 with a load of hay and on to Mother’s (?) for lunch. Saw
all the folks. Home at 3. Les was real sick all day. We visited with him Sun.
nite.

Monday—January 13

B. B. and I got up early and fixed lunch. Worked all day at
the farm. The Wilhites moved in and the house is full of people. We made
everything look nice. The cow tester was here and we visited with him and did
our chores. Too tired to go to the show.

Tuesday—January 14

The cows did unusually well. Am turning “Blondie and Blossom”
dry this 15th. Joe Beth is 22 years old today. She is spending the
day with Letha. Jo, Les, and Letha visited until 8:30 with me. Bob called and
said Nell and Richard were at (unreadable). We will try to see them Wed. Buster
figured his income tax, again with Mildred.

13 June 2012

load of salvaged junk from the apt rehab job....the roof fan runs great

found some old mini "super balls" from the 60's - 70's in the dryer roof vent fan from the coin-op laundry

had to build a make-shift sheep shed due to all the spring rain storms we've been having

My son had me pick up some used tires he bought off Craigslist in DFW area for his next rock crawler project

from last cabin trip....on the porch...Pug on a chair shelf...relaxing

Our cabin neighbor James Jackson and his pet horse "Thunder" at our porch one morning.

Caren, making a birthday cake for her 1yr old nannuy kid she takes care of

His favorite book is "Grumpy Bird".....turned out pretty damn good huh?

Last wknd I decided to build some carport shelves from old 1964 apt salvaged lumber...used up 4 plywood shelf boards....only 900 more to use up....WAY too many plywood shelf boards saved...may have to use them for siding on some more sheds.!!! I've got 2 more van loads to pick up and haul home.

Here it is semi-finished...still need to put some doors over them and sides

Here's a couple of rolls of #1 GA stranded copper underground elect cable that I talked my elect sub out of from the project....1964 era stranded cable....scuffed up here and there...but not to be scrapped....only to be used for solar stuff at the cabin.

That's all folks....too busy working now, and I hate that 2 hrs of heavy traffic driving...can't wait to be laid off and go back to Terlingua for a good long while.

About Me

Littlefoot and Bigfoot--a true case of 'opposites attract' but somehow it works incredibly well. I (Littlefoot) have two boys, Ben and Bruce, of whom I am extremely proud. Bigfoot is the proud papa of Weston and Laura.